Ordered my system (low-end 27-in with 3TB fusion and trackpad instead of mouse) within five minutes of the site going live. I had already set up my address and credit card details so I was ultra quick.

Then I realised my Apple One-to-One was expiring Feb 2013 and I'd read somewhere you could only buy One-to-One when you buy a system. So I ordered another system, as above but with One-to-One, intending to cancel the first order.

Both systems are due to be delivered 21-Dec through 2-Jan, however I've since found that I can extend my current One-to-One so it's the second order which I should cancel. However I'm inclined to wait a bit and find out what the real delivery dates are. I'm hoping earlier than 21 Dec seeing as non-BTO systems were being quoted as two weeks delivery.

Then I realised my Apple One-to-One was expiring Feb 2013 and I'd read somewhere you could only buy One-to-One when you buy a system. So I ordered another system, as above but with One-to-One, intending to cancel the first order.

I was going to order right away, but when I saw the estimated delivery of 27th-1st, I hesitated and decided to order when delivery times go to 8th-15th January, since that is the week I am back from snowboarding...

I really hoped for it to get here before the 23rd, but since that was out, I guess I will have it early next year.
btw, I am located in Germany.

Also: Do you guys know if there are Fusion Drive models of the 21,5" available in the Apple Store?
I am asking because if that was the case, maybe I could just drive to the nearest Apple Store before christmas and just get it there?

Was the first person through on the phone to a salesperson at Education Store UK when I saw the iMacs go live in the USA. It took a few minutes to confirm that the iMacs were available in the UK (at that point they were still not showing on the UK site) and placed my order.

Then of course the problem arouse at Credit Card authorisation time. Despite having phoned my credit card company the night before to advise them of my likely purchase, their automatic systems blocked my card Luckily I had my Debit Card on me so that went through okay and a few minutes later I got my email confirmation

System Came to £2162 (still to buy AppleCare) with delivery 21st Dec-2nd Jan

Was the first person through on the phone to a salesperson at Education Store UK when I saw the iMacs go live in the USA. It took a few minutes to confirm that the iMacs were available in the UK (at that point they were still not showing on the UK site) and placed my order.

Then of course the problem arouse at Credit Card authorisation time. Despite having phoned my credit card company the night before to advise them of my likely purchase, their automatic systems blocked my card Luckily I had my Debit Card on me so that went through okay and a few minutes later I got my email confirmation

System Came to £2162 (still to buy AppleCare) with delivery 21st Dec-2nd Jan

Are you sure!!!!!!!! I think this stopped a while ago. Why else would it give the option of AppleCare on my iMac at the online store??? Would be nice if it is true

Only applies to Higher Education National Contract purchases, not all education, but it's still there - used this myself when I ordered mine. Uplift to full 3-year AppleCare was offered for £45, but I didn't take it (only difference between the Higher Ed 3-yr warranty and AppleCare is the extra 2-yrs of 'phone support, IIRC).

For Higher Ed pricing, you either need to be accessing the Apple Store from your university network, or give them a call & have some proof of your student registration on hand in case they ask - sometimes they do, sometimes they don't...

Just been reading some American posts and it appears that beside there free gifts they received (why we dident get one is beyond me) if they call up regarding there shipping dates, they get them changed to a few days earlier , just wondering if that will apply to us Brits . My shipping date is 21 dec to 2nd jan, so want it before Christmas.

Anyone know the difference between the basic education discount and the higher ed one?

My wife works in schools, but I have relatives at Uni, so could get them to order for me or Getting AppleCare free seems a good incentive nevermind anything else!

Universities get a bigger discount (about 16% on Macs) compared with schools (about 6% I believe), and the HE (Higher Education) store orders include 3yrs repair warranty as standard. (Confusingly the HE store also offers an AppleCare upgrade, but this just buys an additional 2yrs phone support and costs less than full AppleCare).

Of course your Uni relatives would need to order for you (you need to be on the University network - probably ac.uk to access the HE store, or they can phone and need to give proof e.g. an ac.uk email address), and staff/students are limited in the number of Macs they can order each year. I also guess your relatives would need to deal with any repairs etc.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by David632

Just been reading some American posts and it appears that beside there free gifts they received (why we dident get one is beyond me) if they call up regarding there shipping dates, they get them changed to a few days earlier , just wondering if that will apply to us Brits . My shipping date is 21 dec to 2nd jan, so want it before Christmas.